Bigotry Determined Webster’s New
World Dictionary defines “bigot” as “a person who holds blindly and
intolerantly to a particular creed, opinion, etc.” and “bigotry” as “the
behavior, attitude, or beliefs of a bigot.”

Police State Thomas Kachadurian’s column might get the facts right but misses the story.

Oppose The Shell Game Is this a
Shell Game? As a Democrat, I support increased taxes on motor fuels and
vehicles to provide funding for our transportation infrastructure.

Sugars On The Way Senator Patrick
Colbeck from Canton introduced a bill and the Senate passed it allowing
schools and Girl & Boy Scout troops to have up to 3 bake sales per
week.

Letters 6/13/11

The burden of guiltAfter reading Stephen Tuttles I Hate You article (6/6), I have to agreewith him on pretty much all the sentiments he expressed. However, thereis one statement in there that I have to dispute.He discusses our nations sordid hatred of minority races, as expressed inthe line ...we tried to systematically eradicate the indigenous peoplesalready populating this continent when our European ancestors showed up.Excuse me: WE? Sorry, I was nowhere around when that happened, andneither were my ancestors. There were bad things that happened, to besure, but we need to quit apologizing for actions and deeds carried outseveral generations ago. It wasnt we who did it. It was them. Andtheyre all dead now. Guilt shouldnt be carried on down the generations,especially when my generation was so effective in ending so many civilrights infringements on minorities in this country. Pinning our ancestorsguilt on us is inappropriate.Its true that we are trained to hate and to look down on those who aredifferent, regardless of what that difference is. We are also trainedto have contempt for those we feel are technologically inferior to us.As an avocational archaeologist, I have nothing but admiration for thosewho were here before us. They coped with everything nature threw at them,and developed the necessary technology to cope with it. They achieved anear-perfect balance with nature. The only problem they seemed to havehad is that they didnt see the need to develop the technology sufficientto kill massive amounts of other people. The conquistadors and pioneershad that need, and developed the weapons that allowed them to effectivelydo so. I dont really admire them. And I dont admire those who carry onthe legacy of hatred that has been passed down to them through the mediumof ignorance.

Howard J. Blodgett  via email

Heroin & hopeI am very grateful for Patrick Sullivans recent article Shooting Up andChecking Out (6/6), promoting awareness of the drug overdose spike acrossNorthern Michigan. My heart goes out to those who have lost a loved-onedue to a drug overdose.It is important that members of our community recognize this is a serious,and growing problem. Myself, and a number of people from our community, are in the process of starting a non-profit organization called St.Maximilian Kolbe. This will be an adolescent residential treatment centerto help young men ages 14-17 who are struggling with an addiction.It is our hope to intervene early and to provide a safe, nurturingenvironment in which they can begin to heal and find hope for theirfuture. The reality of addiction and death was clearly shown in Mr.Sullivans article. It is time for our communities to rise up and provideadditional treatment options for those suffering from addictions. Withearly intervention, lots of help and lots of love there is HOPE!

Claire Scerbak  via email

Inhumane politiciansA governments first duty lies in supporting those people who throughtheir taxes support that government. For me this would include programslike Social Security and Medicare, infrastructure construction andmaintenance, and most importantly education for all, to whatever levelthey are capable of reaching. Education is the one factor that can help us rise above the problems wenow face as a society, including the ignorance and prejudice thatproduce the division and conflict evident everywhere. Througheducation we can bring peoples awareness to a level where the attackson everything civil in our society can be seen for the ruthless acts ofgreed and aggression they truly are.We the people have lost control of our government. Our elections havebecome more about what the candidates dont tell us about their agendathan what they do tell us, as in the case of Republican members ofCongress and their promises of jobs, or our governor and his attack oneducation to fund tax breaks for corporate entities that are returning toprofitability without his help.Republicans in Congress raised our debt ceiling FIVE times since 2002,twice in 2008, and now, uncompromisingly, they fight another raise, evengoing so far as to refuse aid to those obliterated by tornadoes inTuscaloosa and Joplin unless we meet their demands.Weve been run over by a big truck full of rich people and the inhumanepoliticians theyve hired through overwhelmingly financed and deceptivecampaigns. Some of you just dont realize it yet.Dont lose hope. Support all the recalls, and we can undo the damage done.

Robert A. Wallick  Cross Village

Win with wind powerWe have been reading about, talking about and contemplating the GailWindpower Project by Duke Energy in northern Manistee and southern Benziecounties for the past 6 months. With an open mind last winter we attendedthe Duke Energy Open House as well as viewing the film Windfall .We know that whatever we as humans do to generate power there areenvironmental and human impacts. When we evaluate the safety of ourcurrent energy sources, we see many problems and disasters with our fossilfuel based energy production. Compared to fossil fuels like coal and thesafety problems with nuclear -- a wind farm seems to have the lowest humanand environmental cost.Are the doomsday claims by people against wind farms really based on fact?Wind production doesnt kill or cause disease with air pollution and seemslikely to contribute to saving hundreds of millions of lives in the futurethrough reducing greenhouse gasses. Wind is a low-impact, constant,renewable resource. We have viewed the wind farms already in production in Michigan,Illinois and Indiana and personally think the appearance is much betterthan smoke stacks, and cell telephone towers. It isnt the only answerto our energy production -- just one of the alternative energies weshould invest in in for a cleaner, safer, future for our world.We think this wind farm will have a very positive effect on ourregion. This wind-farm would announce to future residents and visitorsthat Michigan cares about the world and our environment. It will helpdiversify the economy of our area, add to the tax base and provide newtypes of income. Not to mentions the 150 construction jobs that will becreated, as well as a number of local long term positions.Governor Snyder talks about the bright future Michigan has building on our natural resources, universities, manufacturing and industrial base andour people. Duke Energyʼs wind project uses all of these assets.Michigan needs a change and our area has been blessed with great windresources and a company willing to invest in our economy for the longterm.If we citizens work with Duke Energy and our local units of government, wecan insure that the project will also have great rewards for ourcommunities. Change is difficult but it is a lot easier when the peopleare included. When was the last time you heard of a coal or nuclear plantsharing their revenue with residents in the area?

Dick and Linda  Manistee

Its MacpodzFYI, the band name Macpodz does not have a capital p.Love the article though.